You get what you tolerate.

For so many of us, our worth has been defined by an industry built on hours billed, time sacrificed, and the grind of hustle culture. When we step away to pick up a child from daycare, when we say no to weekend calls, or when we dare to expect fair pay for our expertise, we’re often met with subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) reminders that we’re “less than” if we won’t play by the old rules.

And yet, that’s exactly where the shift begins—when we stop measuring our value by someone else’s yardstick and start defining it for ourselves.

Here’s what we’ve learned as Stryde advisors:

Awareness is the first step. Recognizing the gap between what you know you’re worth and what you’re actually experiencing is the beginning of change.

Naming what you’ve been tolerating—whether in your firm, your career, or even at home—can be a powerful wake-up call.

Courage doesn’t always show up as a giant leap. Sometimes it’s simply saying “no” where you’ve always said “yes.” Sometimes it’s asking for help. Sometimes it’s raising your prices to reflect your true worth.

You don’t have to roar loudly to own your value—but you do need to stop whispering when it comes to your needs, your boundaries, and your dreams.

If you’re feeling that tug between what you know you deserve and what you’ve been settling for, I want you to hear this: you are not alone. And the moment you stop tolerating less than you deserve is the moment you start rewriting your story.